A tour of Nowa Huta with Małgorzata Kasprowicz is a three-hour walk and behind-the-scenes look at one of Kraków’s most unique districts — a town planned in the spirit of socialist realism and built around a major metallurgical complex.
The route mixes walks across wide housing estates and squares with short transfers (by coach or public transport), so you’ll see the district’s key points without excessive fatigue.
Highlights include: Central Square (Plac Centralny, also named after Ronald Reagan), the Nowa Huta Cultural Centre (NCK), the Wanda and Willowe housing estates, the so-called Swedish Block and French Block, Avenue of Roses (Aleja Róż), the site of the former Lenin monument, the iconic Restauracja Stylowa, the Nowa Huta Cross (Krzyż Nowohucki) — a symbol of the local community’s struggle for a church, Teatr Ludowy, Arka Pana Church, the Cistercian monastery in Mogiła, and views of the metallurgical complex (Tadeusz Sendzimir Steelworks).
Nowa Huta is a district of paradoxes — from official propaganda to the everyday life of its residents. Visiting on your own gives only a first impression; a guide connects historical facts with local stories, anecdotes and social context to bring the places to life.
Małgorzata Kasprowicz is a licensed Kraków guide (licensed since 2012) with many years of experience — she has led thousands of visitors from Poland and abroad. She adapts the narrative to the group, whether families with children, guests interested in architecture, or those seeking social history.
Tours are offered in Polish or English — please indicate your preferred language when booking so the guide can adjust the pace and style of the visit.
The route can include visits to selected interiors and spaces — the guide helps arrange tickets and will inform you about any fees. Depending on the chosen version of the tour, it is possible to enter air-raid shelters under parts of the district — this option typically extends the tour by about one hour.
If you want to visit specific institutions or museums during the tour, mention this when booking — the guide will check availability and, if needed, assist with ticket purchases. Please note that museum and attraction entrance fees are usually extra and not always included in the guiding fee.
In case of very bad weather the route is planned so that more time is spent indoors — a good way to learn about the district and see interiors you would otherwise pass by.
Duration: typically 3 hours — an optimal time to calmly see Nowa Huta’s main spots and hear stories with context.
Meeting place and time: arranged individually after booking. Most commonly the start is in central Kraków (e.g. Main Market Square) or at a convenient spot near Nowa Huta — the exact meeting point is agreed with the guide after reservation.
Costs: the price covers the guiding service. Museum entries and some interiors are extra. The guide can provide lightweight headset sets to improve audibility in larger groups — there is a small additional fee for these.
What to bring: comfortable shoes, water, a raincoat if the forecast is uncertain, and an ID if you plan to enter places that require identification (e.g. some special exhibitions).
For families with children: the route is adapted — the guide knows how to present content in an engaging, accessible way for younger participants.
The easiest way to get to Nowa Huta is by public transport or taxi. From Kraków centre trams and buses connect the Market Square area with Central Square and other points in Nowa Huta — the exact vehicle depends on your chosen meeting point.
If you’re coming to Nowa Huta on your own before meeting the guide, check MPK timetables (trams/buses) or plan a short taxi ride to save time and energy for the walk.
For larger groups a coach transfer is possible — ask about this option when booking.
To soak up local atmosphere and taste regional flavors in the heart of Nowa Huta, the famous Restauracja Stylowa is a classic choice — an iconic spot for a meal after the walk.
The Nowa Huta Cultural Centre (NCK) often has a small café where you can stop for coffee and cake after sightseeing.
If you plan a full day in Kraków, it’s worth combining the Nowa Huta visit with lunch in the centre or asking the guide for local recommendations — Małgorzata knows neighborhood addresses and can suggest places to suit different tastes and budgets.
Standard prices for private guiding vary depending on duration and group size. For small groups (1–35 people) there are options for 2-, 3- and 4-hour tours; groups over 35 are usually priced per person.
The guide offers occasional promotions — in the autumn-winter season you may find reduced rates for selected dates. To use a current promotion, confirm the date and terms when booking, as offers may be time-limited.
Headset sets (audio-guides) are available for larger groups for a small extra fee to improve the comfort of the visit.
How long is the “Nowa Huta” tour? - Standardly 3 hours, with an option to extend for shelter visits or additional interiors.
Does the guide speak English? - Yes, tours are available in Polish and English.
Are entrance fees included? - The guiding fee covers the tour; museum and some attraction tickets are usually extra — the guide can help purchase them.
What if it rains? - The tour runs regardless of weather; in bad weather the route may be adjusted to spend more time indoors.
Is the tour suitable for children? - Yes, the route is adapted for families and the guide can provide engaging educational elements and activities.
Is transport between sites included? - The standard tour includes short transfers by public transport or coach when needed; specific transport arrangements (private coach, taxis) should be discussed at booking and may affect the price.
Can you arrange visits to the underground shelters? - Yes — shelters can be included by prior arrangement; this usually adds around one hour to the tour and may require additional entry fees.
Bookings and details are arranged directly with the guide. When booking, please provide preferred language, group size, date and whether you want to include shelters or specific museums so the route can be prepared optimally.
For quick reservations and questions it’s best to contact the guide by phone or email — she will answer practical questions, propose a schedule and advise how to combine Nowa Huta with other Kraków attractions.
Please include any special needs (mobility, stroller access, dietary requirements for planned group meals) when booking so the tour can be tailored accordingly.
